November 1, 2004

Columbus (OH) Mayor Michael B. Coleman issued a series of directives April 22 to improve the way the city of Columbus served employees returning from military service, as well as their families and veterans of past conflicts. These directives sought to build a better network and relationships with Veterans Service Providers at the local, state and national level. The directives came as the city and community struggled to understand the tragic death of Lt. Brandon Ratliff, an employee of the Department of Health who committed suicide upon returning from active duty in Afghanistan.

"Every city employee, every military family and member of our community mourned the loss of Lt. Brandon Ratliff, a proven team member in the Health Department, a medic in the U.S. Army Reserves, and son of two city employees," said Coleman. "It is our duty to step up in this community and welcome every one of our returning veterans home, as well as make sure that their family is safe and financially secure while they are serving the nation. We see more of our sons and daughters called to defend the nation or work to keep the peace overseas, and it is our job to help our veterans connect with every possible resource from local, state and national partners."

The mayor's directive called for the creation of a Veterans Committee, which has been led by Vietnam veteran and Public Service Director Henry Guzman. Over the past month, the group helped implement the Veterans Directives, and organized the first Operation Unity: Military/Family Information and Benefits Fair held on October 2, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Whetstone Park Recreation Center.

"I think that these sort of town hall meetings need to happen all over the country, and the way we-ve brought people together in Franklin County to connect veterans with the help that is available is very important," said David Bradley the Director of Franklin County Veterans Services. "Local veterans groups appreciate the hard work of the city and Colman in helping pull these resources together. It is critically important that veterans know their rights and know where to go to get the services they have earned. I hope we can do more of these events in the future and that local families get actively involved."

The Operation Unity committee brought together many local veterans advocates, including: the Committee on Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), Ohio National Guard Family Program, the Veterans Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Red Cross, Salvation Army, USO and numerous other community organizations. Families at the event were able to meet with local leaders and more than 36 organizations providing Information on employee/employer responsibilities for those activated to duty, family assistance, veterans' legal benefits, links to medical services, counseling to serve those with post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as financial assistance.

Status Update on Colman's April 22 "Directives on Provision of Services to Employees of the City of Columbus Who are Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces"

1. Creation of the Columbus Veterans Committee with representatives from the military community and every city department, chaired by a veteran of Vietnam, Director Henry Guzman.

2. Department of Human Resources (HR) created a Military Employee Database that now has 261 employees listed, allowing the city to reach out to employees with new information, services or benefits.

3. HR also created a team of veteran contacts, city employees who have served in the military and who will now serve as mentors, advisors, and advocates for returning employees.

4. City Department Directors and managers notified their responsibilities to care for the issues of any employee who is called to duty, and to ensure that they are welcomed home properly, provided needed information and sent a Welcome Home certificate from the mayor.

5. Drafting a Veterans Resource Handbook that will be published soon on the Internet at www.columbus.gov and through First Link

6. Veterans Issues Training program created for city supervisors, 47 employees are already trained and 33 more are signed up for upcoming training sessions.

ABC 6/Fox 28, Time Warner Cable, WCOL Radio, and The Flag Lady's Flag Store supported Operation Unity: Military/Family Information and Benefits Fair.